Dataran Merdeka (Merdeka
Or Independence Square) was the place where on midnight of August 31, 1957
where the Union Jack was lowered for the last time and Malayan flag (Jalur
Gemilang) was hoisted for the first time in the country's history upon
gaining independence from the British rule.

Now, the Square is a popular venue
for various other events such as open air concerts, carnivals, starting/finishing
point for marathons etc.
The Square was the focal point of colonial Kuala
Lumpur. Surrounding the square are many buildings of historical interest,
such as the Royal Selangor Club, the Sultan Abdul Samad building and
St. Marys
church.

The Royal Selangor
Club
It was formerly part of the Selangor Club and was known as the Selangor Club
Padang, and was originally the cricket green of the Selangor Club (now Royal
Selangor Club). It was founded in 1884 by the British as a social club.

Before there was a club everybody met everybody at Maynards,
which was the only European shop in Kuala Lumpur  Maynards, a
pharmaceutical chemist but it also sold liquor and a wide range of other
things. Ladies went shopping in the confidence of meeting friends and
lingering to chat.

Initially in1892 it had 140 members and was but a small
wooden building with an attap roof at near the north eastern corner of the
padang and serve as a cricket as well as a social club.

It was then replaced
by a two-storey structure in 1890 on the west side of the padang, the
present site of the club.
Designed by AC Norman, a Government Architect, it served as a meeting point for educated and high-ranking members of
British colonial society.

The club was nicknamed "The Spotted Dog" as two Dalmatians belonging to the
wife of one of the club founders were left to guard the entrance of the club
whenever they visited the club. The club is also simply referred to as "The
Dog".

The building was later redesigned by architect
Arthur Benison Hubback (who was notably credited for the design of the Kuala
Lumpur Railway Station) and rebuilt in 1910, with two additional wings on
either side of the main building and a Mock Tudor styling.

Over the years, the club's membership increased and had also
begun to include high-ranking Malaysian civil servants: judges, lawyers and
important people in society. The club's proximity to the High Courts at the
other side of Dataran Merdeka has also made the club a suitable meeting
place for the legal fraternity.

The field or padang affront the Royal
Selangor Club, now known as Dataran Merdeka, had long belonged to the club
before the was taken back by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall in 1987 to be used
specifically for events organised by City Hall.

Sultan
Abdul Samad Building
The most beautiful building at the Merdeka Square is, without any doubt, the
Abdul Samad Building. The predominantly Moorish appearance of the building
suitably reflects the cultural background of Malaysia. T

he gleaming copper
domes of the Abdul Samad Building are topped by a 43 meter clock tower. The
central tower holds a clock that was first heard during Queen Victoria's
birthday parade in 1897.

This is surmounted by a copper dome that is in turn
topped by a copper chatri. Two circular towers, housing stairways leading to
the upper floor, flank the central tower.

It was originally known as "The New Government Offices". It is one of the
oldest buildings in the city. AC Norman (architect) and CE Spooner (state
engineer) have been credited for the creation of this building.

However, it
is recognised that although AC Norman drew the ground plan, it was RAJ
Bidwell (chief draughtsman) who did the elevation based on a Mohammedans'
(sic) style as instructed by CE Spooner. This 'Mohammedan' architecture,
also known as 'Neo-Saracen', came from India where several major buildings
had been built in this style.

It was to be the largest building of its day, constructed
entirely of brick and what appears to be cream stone is actually plaster
covered brick. The construction began in 1894 and was completed in 1897 at a
cost of 152,000 Straits Dollars.

The building became the centre of British administration in Selangor. The
Post Office and the Sanitary Board were also located here.

The building was extensively renovated to house the nation's judiciary. It
has been left vacant recently with the judiciary move to Putrajaya, the new
administrative centre of Malaysia.

100 Metre Flag Pole
As a symbol of this historical event, a 100 metre high flagpole (the world
tallest) was erected at the very spot where the Malayan flag was first
hoisted. The square is used to celebrate national events, carnivals, live
performances, cultural events and other social awareness campaigns.

The Horse Fountain
At one end of the square is old ornamental fountain and drinking trough was
ordered from England by the Sanitary Board. The fountain was brought in from
England and assembled locally in 1897.

The fountain was originally to be erected in Market Square,
however, the police objected on grounds that it would obstruct the flow of
traffic and suggested the present site at the corner of the then Parade
Ground.

Kuala Lumpur City Gallery
This magnificent building facing the iconic 100 metre flag pole, is now
refurbished to its current role as an information centre for tourists and
locals alike to learn about the city and its history through prints, photos
and architectural models. This place which is opened daily from 8am to 6pm,
offers an excellent introduction to KL and visitors are greeted by very
friendly, informative staff and they give out those really cool walking maps
of KL as well.

There's also the ARCH gift shop selling a collection of
locally made gifts and soon visitors will be able to view a 40ft x 60ft
scaled model of greater KL supported with video footage on the past, present
and future developments of the city.

St. Mary's Cathedral
This neo-Gothic church which is also known as the Cathedral of St. Mary the
Virgin, is the oldest Anglican church in Kuala Lumpur. It is the Episcopal
of the Anglican Bishop here and is also the mother church of the diocese.
The
Church started as an un pretentious wooden building in 1894 with the
foundation stone laid by William Treacher at the present location near the
Selangor Club.

This wooden church which cost $1,363 to build,
could accommodate up to 95 people at full capacity, was the centre of
worship and spiritual life of the small group of Anglicans in and around
Kuala Lumpur at that time.

Among these early parishioners were Frank Swettenham, the Resident General of the Federated Malay States or FMS, and
William Treacher, the British Resident of Selango

The congregation grew steadily, and in 1893 it was decided
to build a new and larger church. A church building fund appeal was
launched. It raised $5,168 and the governor of the straits settlement, Sir
Cecil C. Smith, agreed that the government of Selangor would provide the
remaining $5000 needed for the construction of the new church.

Interestingly, there were a number of non  Christian who responded to the
appeal. Prominent among them were Yap Kwan Seng, The Captain China, Who
donated a significant sum of $1000. In 1895 the Church was consecrated by
Bishop Hose. Pipe organ built by the famous 19th century organ maker, Henry
Willis, was installed. Henry Willis also made organs for St. Paul's
Cathedral and the Royal Albert Hall. The Church was upgraded to St Marys
Cathedral with the appointment of a bishop for West Malaysia.

The History
1860s': the Chinese cleared the land and cultivated vegetables on it.
1870s': the capital of Selangor moved from Klang to Kuala Lumpur and
vegetable plots were turned into a padang or field. Used by the police
forces for their parades and thus was called the Parade Ground. The Police
Headquarters were built on Bluff Road, located on a small hill now called
Bukit Aman.
1880's: The founding of Selangor Club. Cricket and rugby were played
regularly on the Padang.
1926: Worst flood of Kuala Lumpur. Currency notes from the Chartered Bank
were left to dry in the Padang.
1957 Lowering of the Union Flag and the raising of the Malayan Flag during
independence.
1990: After major renovation, renamed Dataran Merdeka or Independence
Square. The renovation was in preparation for Visit Malaysia 1990. It was
officially opened by the then Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dr. Mahathir
Mohammad.

Best Way to Visit - KL City Tour
A Full or a Hull day private tour which includes private vehicle with driver
/ guide at your disposal that allow a visit here and other places of
interests of your preference.